MrBeast leads the top 20 most subscribed YouTube channels with approximately 518 million subscribers as of late September 2026. He became the first channel to pass 500 million on June 12, 2026. The Indian music label T-Series is second with about 315 million, and the kids' channel Cocomelon is third with about 203 million.
Below is the full top 20 ranking. We also break down the history of the number one spot and analyze the actual upload habits of the top channels. The upload data is the most practical part if you are trying to grow your own channel.
Top 20 Most Subscribed YouTube Channels (September 2026)
YouTube displays subscriber counts in a rounded format. These numbers are the public counts as of September 28, 2026, and are approximate.
| # | Channel | Subscribers (approx.) | Content | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MrBeast | 518 million | Challenges, giveaways | USA |
| 2 | T-Series | 315 million | Music (Hindi) | India |
| 3 | Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes | 203 million | Kids' songs | USA |
| 4 | SET India | 190 million | TV shows | India |
| 5 | Vlad and Niki | 151 million | Kids' entertainment | USA |
| 6 | Stokes Twins | 146 million | Pranks, challenges | USA |
| 7 | Kids Diana Show | 138 million | Kids' entertainment | USA |
| 8 | KIMPRO | 135 million | Short comedy | South Korea |
| 9 | Like Nastya | 133 million | Kids' entertainment | USA |
| 10 | Zee Music Company | 123 million | Music (Hindi) | India |
| 11 | Alejo Igoa | 122 million | Challenges (Spanish) | Argentina |
| 12 | WWE | 114 million | Sports entertainment | USA |
| 13 | Goldmines | 110 million | Films (Hindi) | India |
| 14 | PewDiePie | 109 million | Vlogs, commentary | Sweden/Japan |
| 15 | Sony SAB | 106 million | TV shows | India |
| 16 | Alan's Universe | 102 million | Short dramas | USA |
| 17 | BLACKPINK | 101 million | Music (K-pop) | South Korea |
| 18 | Zee TV | 99 million | TV shows | India |
| 19 | ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes | 98 million | Kids' songs | India |
| 20 | Topper Guild | 95 million | Short entertainment | USA |
BLACKPINK remains the most subscribed music artist. Among individual creators, MrBeast has a massive lead over everyone else. The next biggest creator-run channels are the Stokes Twins, KIMPRO, and Alejo Igoa.
Most Subscribers vs. Most Views
Subscribers and total views are completely different races. T-Series is second in subscribers but first in lifetime views with about 357 billion. Cocomelon is next with roughly 228 billion views. MrBeast, despite having the most subscribers, sits around sixth place for total views with about 141 billion. Music labels and kids' channels own the view count race because people replay their thousands of videos on repeat for years.
The History of the Number One Spot
The number one position has only changed hands a few times in YouTube's history.
- 2006–2013: Early creators like Smosh, Fred, and nigahiga took turns at the top.
- 2013–2019: PewDiePie dominated this era. His unbroken streak as the most subscribed channel lasted for 1,920 days.
- 2018–2019: The infamous "PewDiePie vs T-Series" battle. T-Series took the lead for good in April 2019.
- May 29, 2019: T-Series became the first channel ever to surpass 100 million subscribers.
- June 2, 2024: MrBeast passed T-Series to become the new number one. He has held the position since.
MrBeast's pace is still unmatched. His subscriber count grew by roughly 17% over the last twelve months, which is the fastest growth rate among the top five channels.
What the Leaders Actually Upload
Rankings are interesting, but they don't teach you how to grow. We analyzed the public upload activity and subscriber growth for key top channels over the last 12 months. The data reveals clear patterns.
| Channel | Long videos, last 12 months | Shorts, last 12 months | Subscriber growth, 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alejo Igoa | 53 | 73 | +32.6% |
| Topper Guild | 81 | 259 | +21.9% |
| MrBeast | 26 | 74 | +17.2% |
| KIMPRO | 10 | 909 | +10.7% |
| T-Series | 2,129 | 545 | +3.6% |
| SET India | 14,260 | 1,887 | +2.2% |
| PewDiePie | 18 | 0 | −0.9% |
Three crucial lessons stand out from this data.
- Publishing volume is not the goal. SET India uploaded over 16,000 videos and grew by about 2%. MrBeast posted around 100 videos and grew by about 17%.
- Shorts plus flagship videos is the fastest formula. The three fastest-growing channels blend a steady flow of Shorts with less frequent, high-effort long videos. Shorts attract new eyes, and long videos convert them into loyal subscribers.
- No Shorts and few uploads is the slowest path. PewDiePie, with only 18 long videos and no Shorts, is the only channel in this group that shrank. One channel doesn't prove a rule, but the contrast with the others is revealing.
They Remove the Language Barrier
MrBeast dubs his main videos into many languages. KIMPRO, Alan's Universe, and Topper Guild make visual content that requires almost no words. Kids' channels use simple, universal songs. A channel that anyone in the world can enjoy without translation has a much higher growth ceiling.
They Serve a Massive Home Market
Seven of the top twenty most subscribed YouTube channels are from India. Labels like T-Series and Zee Music release film songs and trailers for one of the largest audiences on the platform.
They Give Viewers a Reason to Come Back
Subscribing is an investment in a channel's next upload. The top channels all have a clear, predictable format. A series or recurring theme gives viewers a concrete reason to hit the button and return.
How to Get More Subscribers on Your Own Channel
You don't need half a billion subscribers to succeed. What helps at any level is simple:
- Commit to one clear topic. This tells a new viewer exactly what they will get by subscribing.
- Combine Shorts with long videos. The data from the fastest growers above proves this is the most effective mix.
- Ask at the right moment. Ask after you have delivered value in the video, not before.
- Use end screens and playlists. This keeps viewers on your channel and watching another video immediately.
- Create a strong first impression. Early engagement signals to YouTube that a video is worth pushing to a wider audience. Some creators give their uploads an initial boost of YouTube views.
For a deeper dive into growth, see our complete YouTube subscriber growth guide.
How It Works at LikeMan
Small channels face a trust issue. People hesitate to subscribe when a channel has only 40 subscribers. Some creators use LikeMan's YouTube subscribers as a form of social proof while they build a real audience. The service works as follows:
- You only need to provide your channel URL. Your login details stay private.
- The calculator shows the exact price before you order.
- The order starts automatically once your payment is confirmed.
- Subscribers who drop within 365 days are refilled at no extra charge.
Bought subscribers do not watch your videos. They don't count toward monetization on their own. They do not replace good content. They simply make a new channel look established, which makes real viewers more willing to subscribe.
FAQ
Who is the number one most subscribed YouTuber?
MrBeast is the number one most subscribed YouTuber and YouTube channel overall. He has approximately 518 million subscribers as of September 2026.
Who has the 2nd most subscribers on YouTube?
The Indian music label T-Series has the second most subscribers on YouTube, with about 315 million.
How did MrBeast get the most subscribers?
MrBeast became the most subscribed channel by passing T-Series on June 2, 2024. His growth is driven by a mix of high-budget challenge videos and a massive volume of Shorts that bring in new viewers.
Who is the most subscribed music artist on YouTube?
BLACKPINK is the most subscribed music artist, with just over 101 million subscribers. Among all music channels, T-Series leads with about 315 million.
What was the first YouTube channel to hit 100 million subscribers?
T-Series was the first YouTube channel to reach 100 million subscribers. It hit that milestone on May 29, 2019.
Can I see exact subscriber counts on YouTube?
No. YouTube rounds public subscriber counts for channels over 1,000 subscribers. The full exact number is only visible to the channel owner inside YouTube Studio.
The Bottom Line
MrBeast sits alone at the top of YouTube with over half a billion subscribers. T-Series and Cocomelon fill out the top three. The most useful insight from the top 20 isn't their numbers, but their upload behavior. The fastest-growing channels don't just publish more. They pair a steady stream of Shorts with a smaller number of strong, high-quality long videos. They remove language barriers, and they give viewers a clear promise. More growth guides are on our YouTube page.